*PhD scholarship - Carbon cycling of revegetated agricultural landscapes
under a dry climate*
Monash University, AU$ 26,669 p.a., 3 years full-time
South-eastern Australia is predicted to be substantially drier in the
coming decades, potentially driving extensive land-use change in
agricultural landscapes. As traditional agricultural practices become
less viable, growing trees for carbon storage, water quality and
biodiversity benefits will become increasingly common. An opportunity
exists at the Australian Centre for Biodiversity, Monash University for
a PhD candidate to undertake novel interdisciplinary studies on specific
aspects of these complex biological systems.
The project investigates how revegetation and a dry climate will affect
carbon cycling through a novel combination of field surveys, long-term
flux observations, /in situ/ manipulations, controlled environment
experiments and laboratory analyses. The PhD is part of a broader
Australian Research Council-funded Linkage project to understand how
extensive revegetation will affect carbon storage, water yields and
biodiversity of catchments
(www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/research/acb/carbon). It brings together a
research team with expertise in micrometeorology, forest ecology, soil
processes, terrestrial ecology, landscape modelling, freshwater ecology
and landscape economics.
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic student with a strong
interest in ecosystem ecology, particularly the role of soils, and
experience in agricultural science, plant ecology/physiology,
micrometeorology, chemistry or similar area. Experience with fieldwork,
chemical analyses and /or modelling would be an advantage.
This is an excellent opportunity to establish a career in the
interdisciplinary area of global change science. Potential areas of
research for the PhD candidate include carbon cycling (stocks and flows)
within and among the soil, vegetation and atmosphere; soil microbes and
respiration; and, exchanges of non-CO_2 greenhouse gases. The project
could involve exploring different measurement techniques and modelling
approaches.
The full-time position will start in mid-late 2010 and be based at
Monash University with fieldwork in the Goulburn-Broken Catchment, Victoria.
A first class honours (or equivalent, e.g. research Masters)
undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required. This
scholarship is open to both Australian and overseas applicants.
Applicants should submit a brief statement of their desire and
capability to undertake this research project, a current curriculum
vitae, academic transcripts and contact details for two referees. To
submit applications or for additional information please contact Dr
Shaun Cunningham ([email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>)
--
Ross Thompson PhD (Otago)
Lecturer - Ecology
Chair, Australian Centre for Biodiversity Executive Committee
School of Biological Sciences and Australian Centre for Biodiversity
Monash University
Postal address: School of Biological Sciences,
Building 18,
Monash University,
Victoria 3800, Australia
Phone: (03) 9905-5633
Fax: (03) 9905-5613
(from outside Australia replace 03 with 613)
Visit our website at www.biolsci.monash.edu.au
